EMILIA Palmer turned heads as her electric pink Lamborghini slipped into top gear through the county’s lanes on a drive that meant so much more than show.

At the wheel beside eight-year-old Emilia was TV’s roadmaster Richard Hammond making her wish come true.

The Top Gear presenter even called on Emilia in her dream car to invite her out for the ride.

Emilia, from Kimbolton, lives with a serious lung condition that leaves her reliant on oxygen.

Given all Emilia had been through, mum Rachel thought her pink-fond, speed-loving daughter deserved a chance at making her dream come true.

That dream was to ride in a pink Lamborghini driven by Richard Hammond. The Rays of Sunshine charity made it come true.

Within days of Emilia being nominated by Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Rays of Sunshine - which grants wishes for seriously ill children – got a brand new Lamborghini Aventador Roadster from leading London sportscar dealer H R Owen temporarily sprayed shocking pink by specialist luxury car customisers Yiannamize and taken to Shobdon aerodrome.

Richard flew his helicopter into Shobdon on Sunday, picked up the “dream machine” and headed for the oblivious Emilia’s home.

With Emilia on board, Richard drove the “dream machine” back to Shobdon - the long way.

Once there – as her friends from Kimbolton primary school and head teacher Sarah Walter watched on – Emilia learned what top gear really could be as Richard sped her several times around a specially shutdown runway.

“Emilia had an incredible time,” said mum Rachel.

“The fact that the wish was turned around so quickly, meant that she was still physically able to enjoy it.

"This was a fantastic day that we will all remember as a family. We are so grateful to Rays of Sunshine and everyone involved for making every aspect of Emilia’s wish happen.

"It’s not until something awful happens that you get to find out how kind people can be.”

Richard, who live in Weston-under- Penyard, said the privilege of driving “charming, wonderful” Emilia was all his.

He added: “There was every chance she could have been shy, but she chatted non-stop. It is truly inspiring how brave people are – an inspiring, positive, unique and uplifting occasion.”

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